Learn how to use your data effectively.

Assessment Academy

The Assessment Academy consists of in-person events, on-campus activities, online project updates and virtual consultations that will help you design and implement a customized project to improve student learning through assessment.

HLC is currently accepting applications to join the fall 2025 cohort of the Assessment Academy. Applications are due by June 13, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. CT.

Apply to the Assessment Academy

Four-Year Academy Experience and Fees

Registration for Academy events is included in the annual Academy membership fees. The first year fees must be paid prior to participation in the orientation workshop. Institutions will be invoiced for all subsequent years’ fees on October 1 of each year. 

View the Assessment Academy Fact Sheet for a one-page overview of the costs and travel commitment associated with the Academy.

Prepare to create an effective project using promising practices for assessment.

Orientation

HLC presents an in-depth overview of the Academy, how it works, and the expectations and opportunities for being a team member.

Context Questions

Provide contextual information about your institution, including background on assessment efforts and ongoing needs.

Roundtable

HLC provides an overview of promising practices for developing assessment strategies and evidence for improving student learning. Receive guidance on building and sustaining the long-term Academy Project.

Project Update and Response: Planning

Document your preliminary project plan as defined at the Roundtable, highlighting desired outcomes and strategies to achieve them, and receive feedback from your Mentor and Scholar.

First-Year Mentor Check-In

Meet with your assigned Mentor to discuss the status of the team’s project six months after its launch.

Project Update and Response: Development

Detail launching your Academy Project during the first year and any refinements to its project’s scope. Receive feedback.

Year 1 Membership:
$11,000

Includes:

  • Orientation registration for a two-person team
  • Roundtable registration for a five-person team
  • Online learning and interaction with Academy teams, Mentors and Scholars through SparQ
  • Responses from the Mentor and Senior Scholar to Project Updates

Implement improvement strategies and navigate challenges.

Project Update and Response: Implementation

Describe the project’s initial implementation and what you have discovered about student learning and receive feedback.

Project Update and Response: Reflection

Reflect on your accomplishments thus far, define opportunities for continued improvement and receive feedback.

Midpoint Roundtable

Share progress, seek advice from other participants and receive in-person guidance to keep the Academy Project moving forward.

Year 2 Membership:
$9,500

Includes:

  • Midpoint Roundtable registration for a five-person team
  • Online learning and interaction with Academy teams, Mentors and Scholars through SparQ
  • Responses from the Mentor and Senior Scholar to the Midpoint Report and Project Updates

Calibrate the project to ensure it meets your institution’s goals.

Project Update and Response: Refinement

Document the refinement of your team’s project scope and action plans for the final two years of the program. Get feedback from the Mentor and Scholar.

Third-Year Consultation

Consult virtually with your Mentor to review progress, get suggestions about implementing strategies and recommendations to meet your goals.

Project Update and Response: Evaluation

Begin to critically evaluate your progress and get feedback.

Year 3 Membership:
$9,500

Includes:

  • Third-Year Mentor Consultation
  • Online learning and interaction with Academy teams, mentors and Scholars through SparQ
  • Responses from the Mentor and Senior Scholar to Project Updates

Reflect on project outcomes and create a plan to sustain improvements.

Project Update and Response: Expansion

Consider remaining tasks and opportunities for using the Academy Project as a catalyst for further improvement and receive feedback.

Results Forum

Share your findings and successes and receive guidance on developing a sustainability plan to continue building on your progress.

Impact Report and Response

Document your progress and achievements from the program. The report outlines a sustainability plan and you receive feedback from your Mentor and Scholar on the overall project and plans to continue efforts beyond the Academy.

Year 4 Membership:
$9,500

Includes:

  • Results Forum registration for a five-person team
  • Online learning and interaction with Academy teams, Mentors and Scholars through SparQ
  • Responses from the Mentor and Senior Scholar to the Impact Report and final Project Updates

Note: Academy membership covers registration costs for the specified number of team members for each in-person event. Registration for additional attendees, as well as travel costs, are at the institution’s expense.

SparQ

SparQ is HLC’s online platform for project management, resource sharing, discussion and discovery, where participants can be inspired by new ideas and build a community of shared learning. In SparQ, your team will build a record of its progress, track improvements and document analysis, and receive Mentor and Scholar feedback.

Academy Teams

Institutions participate by creating teams to attend Academy events and carry out the on-campus activities. A team is made up of five to eight individuals and should include members of the faculty, staff and administration. HLC gives guidance on selecting members and team leaders during orientation.

Each team is assigned a Mentor and a Scholar who provide support for the duration of the Academy experience.

Assessment Academy Application

Please read the following information before beginning your institution’s application. The Assessment Academy Fact Sheet provides an overview of the costs and commitment associated with the Academy.

Application Submission

The application deadline for the fall 2025 Assessment Academy cohort is June 13, 2025 by 11:59 p.m. CT. Applications will only be accepted through the online form below; please do not send applications via email or on paper.

Please note: Information entered in the form cannot be saved until the form is completed and submitted; we recommend that you enter your responses and submit the form in one continuous session. Required questions are marked with an asterisk (*). You may wish to prepare your responses in advance and copy and paste them into the form.

The application must include contact information for a member of the institution’s faculty, staff or administration who will serve as the primary contact for HLC regarding the institution’s Academy participation. (If accepted, the institution may change its primary contact by providing notice to HLC at any time during its participation in the Academy.) The name and email address of the institution’s CEO are also required so that a confirmation of the application may be sent to the CEO.

Criteria for Selection to the Academy

Institutions applying to the Academy are evaluated and selected according to their demonstrated fulfillment of these criteria:

  • Expectations, commitment level and desired results appropriate to the purposes and intent of the Academy.
  • Need prompted by current opportunities, challenges or barriers to assessment of student learning.
  • Evidence that Academy participation would be significant and challenging to the institution and could result in broad, meaningful impact on assessment of student learning.
  • Alignment of Academy participation goals with the strategic priorities of the institution.

Questions?

[email protected]